Building a Tiny Off-Grid Cabin in New Mexico
A few years ago we purchased some vacant land in northern New Mexico. We chose that area based on a number of factors. Some of those included wide-open space, abundant sunshine, affordability and artistic history (Georgia O’Keeffe lived down the road a bit). Our long term goal is to retire there and pursue a simple artistic life. One of the main reasons we chose that piece of property is its remoteness to other neighbors and the lack of congestion that comes from urban living. Urban living has a lot of advantages like electricity, water, and corner coffee shops. We plan to work around some of these conveniences using “off-grid” practices. I have enjoyed camping since I was toddler. The slower pace of life in an environment more closely linked with nature has always been a draw. Our cabin provides all of this with far more elbow room than a tent. Add in windows, a wood stove and a comfy bed and what could be better?
Site Location and Solar Power
Our parcel of land is a bit under 42 acres and nearly all the land around us is uninhabited grazing land. In fact, the people we bought our land from still graze horses and cattle on their square mile that surrounds us. I have spent enjoyable nights there listening to the baying of cattle and cry of a lonely coyote. Our decision to go “off-grid” was simple: the nearest utility pole to our cabin is nearly a mile away. We could have paid thousands of dollars to run power poles and lines to “connect” but then those “lines” would disturb our pristine views and require a monthly payment. For a fraction of that cost, we simply installed a basic PV (Photovoltaic) system. Our cabin is small at a bit under 200 sq. feet and has modest energy needs. Continue Reading »
Santa Fe Gypsy Wagon
Libby who is building her own Bow Top Gypsy Wagon with her husband was recently visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico and discovered this old Gypsy Wagon. Though a totally different design than theirs they enjoyed looking it over and getting ideas that they might be able to incorporate into their own vardo. Libby especially liked the slide out table which comes out from under the bed.
Libby wishes she would have had her digital camera but was able to get these photos with their iPhone. Thank you Libby!
Tiny House in a Landscape
Colorado Yurt Owner Michael Drummy bought 15 acres in rural, picturesque northern New Mexico – “O’Keeffe Country” it’s called because the painter Georgia O’Keeffe lived there for the second half of her life.
After buying the property outright we didn’t have the means to build anything very expensive down there. We purchased a 20’ yurt with all the bells and whistles in the spring of 2008. It feels roomy and cozy at the same time. Spending time in a yurt you are much closer to the elements and to the natural cycle of things. The yurt has withstood everything and we are absolutely thrilled with it. Read the complete post at the Colorado Yurt Company Blog.
Rina Swentzell’s Adobe House
Judy introduced me to Rina Swentzell’s house and I am really impressed. This house does not fit in the tiny house size but fits more in the small size but I find the simplicity and the beauty of the home well worth sharing for inspiration and ideas.
The house is based in Northern New Mexico and was designed for the grandmother of Bill Steen’s children and Athena’s mother. The grandchildren were involved in the construction and were able to show and develop there construction talents.
Benito worked on the building from start to finish, being there from the foundations through the walls andfinish plasters. Anything that was done with wood, from the roof to the finish carpentry and furniture. Continue Reading »
Tiny House in a Landscape
Kevin shot this on his way back from his cabin in New Mexico in the San Luis Valley. And although it does not show a house prominently in the land scape there are some out there (really small in the picture).
I plan on featuring Kevin’s cabin sometime in the future when he has a chance to write something up and gets closer to completing the cabin. For now enjoy this great vista he shot. Thanks Kevin!
Tiny House in a Landscape
Dave sent me the information about these photos that are on a really cool site of historical pictures called Shorpy Historic Archive.
Dugout house of homesteaders Faro and Doris Caudill with Mount Allegro in the background. Pie Town, New Mexico. The Caudills at dinner. 35mm Kodachrome transparency by Russell Lee.
Before industry and technology gave us sawmills and frame houses, this is how the average person lived in much of the world. The dugout or pit house, with sod roof, log walls and earthen floor, is among the most ancient of human dwellings — at some point in history your ancestors lived in one. Continue Reading »
Casa Juan Galan
Alternative Energy, Passive Solar House for Sale
The house is located in Tres Orejas, a small off-grid community one-half hour west of Taos, New Mexico.
Situated on 3/4 acre of desert oasis with outstanding 360° panoramic views of the Sangre de Christo (Rocky Mountains) and Picuris mountain to the east and southeast, with BLM National Forest to the west.
Casa Juan Galan- a beautiful, small (one-bedroom), green solar-home.
Operates on sustainable energy: passive solar heating, off-grid electrical system with solar panels (photovoltaic) & wind generator electricity.
It’s an energy efficient, energy independent home.
Rain and snow water harvesting-catchment system provides water (about 4500 gallons of storage).
Heat is by passive solar and a wood stove. There is a small propane heater in the new bathroom. I have left for extended times in the winter and the house plants have survived on the passive solar alone (temperatures around 0 F).
The house is almost 800 square feet.
There is a tank house and next to it, a covered pavilion—which would be fairly easy to convert to a studio/office, maybe a bedroom.
The house has one bedroom which is a combination studio/bedroom with a queen size loft and a small Mexican chimenea (freestanding fireplace). It has a space to hang clothes. A clothes closet is being built as part–but separate from–the new bathroom. There is another small sleeping loft (or storage space) next to the kitchen.
The bathroom is “in process” and the septic system will be finished in the spring (or ASAP, if sold soon). I have been using a “sawdust flush” composting toilet. The bathtub is large with a shower. All greywater is designed to go to trees and plants
The hot water heater is an Aqua Star propane on demand. I have installed an efficient propane refrigerator. The kitchen stove is a small trailer-type propane 3 burner with oven. The kitchen and dining space are separated by a bar. The living and dining area are separated by a partial wall with an arch.
There are two water holding tanks. One is about 3000 gallons and is in the tank house. The other is 1500 gallons and is freestanding. Roof collection for snow and rainwater is about 890 square feet.
A solar haven with High-Speed Internet, Internet Phone and good Cellular reception available.
A great recession-proof, real estate deal!
For sale by owner Asking: $115,000
email: JuanGalan(at)TresOrejas(dot)com
Visit website for more photos and details.
by Kent Griswold (Tiny House Blog)
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to our feed
